Swivel



Feb. 4, 1936.

YE. TIMBS El AL 2,029,598

SWIVEL Filed 001:. 22, 1954 4 Sheets-sheaf 1 45 F 'F' .4 4 9 44 39 /,Q

l 58 2 2 15 l :1 16 ,L I 20 6 Feb. 4, 1936. E. Tunes El AL SWIVEL Filed Oct. 22, 1934 4 Sheets-She et 2 Feb. 4, 1936. E. 'TIMBS ET AL 2,029,593

' YS-WIVEL Fi led Oct. 22, i934 .L 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Ma W' Patented Feb. '4, 1936 NITED." s'rA're-si PATENT OFFICE Edward Timbs, Los mind Demery A.Mur

phy, Torrance, Califi, assignora to The National Superior Company, Toledo, Ohio; a corporation of Delaware Application October 22, 1934, Serial No. 149,374 20 Claims. (011255-25) This invention relates to a rotary swivel of the type employed in connection with the drilling ofoil, gas, water, or other wells, by the rotary process or'method. I

'It is an object of this invention to provide a rotary swivel for use in, connection with oil,- gas, water, or other wells. wherein the rotary method or. process is employed, which rotary swivel is so formed as to provide for an improved structure wherein the entire bearing assembly for the swivel sleeve is enclosed and housed within the body of the swivel, and is also insertable into and removable from the swivel body as a unit with the swivel sleeve, and whereinthe bearing assembly and sleeve are secured to the body and a cover member. a 1

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved form of swivel for use in connection with oil, gas, water, or other wells, which swivel is so constructed as to provide for an improved packing between the swivel sleeve and wash pipe.

Other objects and advantages of this invention it is believed will beapparent from the following detailed description, of, a preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation; mainly in vertical mid-section oi. a swivel embodying our invention.

: Figure 2 is a similar elevation mainly in vertical mid-section of the swivel as illustrated in Figure 1, which view'is taken at right-angles to the sectional view as shown in Figure 1.

c Figure 3 is .a top plan view of the swivel as illustrated in Figures 1 and2.

Figure 4 is ai'ragmental sectional elevation illustrating the wash pipe pa king and rotary swivel assembly embodying our invention.

Figure '"5-is a sectional side elevation partly 'in I vertical mid-"section of a modified iorm of swivel embodying our invention.

Figure 6.is a fragmental sectional view on an enlarged scale illustrating the form of wash pipe bet for taking the upthrust transmitted through the upthrust bearing I. from the drill stem 45 a packing assembly as incorporated in the modified form of swivel illustratedin Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an elevation partly in vertical midsection of a further modified form of swivel embodying our invention.-

The swivel embodying our invention as illustrated in Figures 1 and 4 includes'a body I, and a cap member I. The cap member 2 is fitted with trunnions 3 upon which the ends of the balls 4 are pivotally mounted within the bail-receivin j pockets I. The trunnions I are secured in po.-'" sition by means of pins 8. The cap I and body member I are secured togetherby means of a plurality of bolts 1.

Rotatably secured within the body I and cap 2 is a rotary sleeve 8 which may be connected at its lower end to a drill stem or kelly in the 5 manner well known to those'skilled inthe art. Mounted upon the rotary sleeve 8 in a manner to be insertable into and removable from the swivel body as a unit with the rotary sleeve 8, is a bearing assembly including the main supporting bearl0 ing 9, upthrust bearing l0, and spaced radial bearings Ii and II.

The main supporting bearing 9 is positioned between the body I and the sleeve 8 for the purpose of rotatably supporting the load which is 15 carried by the rotary sleeve 8. The main bearing 9 includes a pair of upper race plates l3, l4 and two annular rows of balls l5 and. I6, which are mounted upon a thrust carrying member or anchor plate II. The anchor race plate I1 is mounted upon the shoulder I 8 of the body I by, means of a downwardly projecting flange I! of the cap 2.

In order to secure an oil tight joint between the body I and cap member I, a resilient packing 20 is positioned between the adjacent ends of the body I and cap 2 and is preferably formedoi such thickness as to provide for a predetermined amount of compression before the flange l9 engages the upper face of the race plate H.

The race plates l3 and Il are interposed between the ball members l5 and i6 and the load supporting head 2| of the sleeve 8, and'formed in the head 2| are a plurality of spring pockets 22 within which are fitted a plurality of dowel plugs 23 and springs 24 which always maintain a when the swivel capand body are allowed rest.

on the rotary sleeve.

The race plate II of the'upthrust bearing l l is carried by the sleeve -l and interposed between 1 the plates i1 and 2| is an annular row-oi balls 0 '26. Positioned-below the raceplate 2' is the inner race ring 21 of the lower radial bearing H. In .order to provide for the adjustment of the bearing clearance between the main supportingbearinglandtheupthrustbearingll,55'-

and so that this adjustment may be effected when the sleeve 8-is removedfrom the body- I, and so that when the sleeve 8 is positioned within the body I and the cap 2 is assembled thereon, the

said bearings will be properly adjusted, a collar 28 is threadedly secured upon the sleeve 8 in position to engage the lower end of the inner race ring 21 of the radial bearing II and to thereby adjust the bearing clearance between the main is provided between the upper end of the cap 2 andthe sleeve 8. An umbrella 32 is secured to the upper end of the sleeve 8 and overlaps the oil'seal 3I to exclude the entrance-of foreign matter into the oil'seal.

In order to prevent the seal rings 33 of the.

upper oil seal 3I from becoming dry, there is provided a lubricant conveying connection 34 which communicates with the space between the two opposed seal rings 33. Lubricant may be supplied under pressure through said connection and is forced past the seal rings 33 and dislodges any foreign matter that may come in contact with the upper ring. Lubricant from the pressure connection 34 forms a lubricant seal between the sleeve 8 and the container 35 of the upper lubricant seal 3I. The upper radial bearing i2 is positioned at the upper end of the sleeve 8 and is aligned within the downwardly extending flange 36 of the cap member 2.

Carried by the cap member 2 is a wash pipe and circulating hose support 31 which is; provided with a vertical opening 38 and a lateral opening 39. The lateral opening 39 is provided with an inserted thread connection 48 for connection with a circulating hose (not shown). A

wash pipe H is insertable through the vertical ing 46 provides a pressure-tight joint between the opening 38 and'is secured in pressure-tight relation to the support 31 by means of a packing "which is compressed through the medium of a threaded collar 43. The upper end of the opening 38 is closed by means of a removable cap 44 secured in place by means of bolts 45. A packsupport 31 and the cap 44.

The wash pipe 4| projects downwardly into the rotary sleeve 8 and in the opening defined between the sleeve 8 and the wash pipe 4| we provide an improved means for packing the connection-between the rotating sleeve 8 and the stationary wash pipe H, which packing assembly is insertable into and removable as a unit from the interior of the sleeve 8 and is illustrated in detail, particularly in Figure 4.

This packing assembly includes a removable 1 ring 54 is a follower 56 which has a series of openings-5H0 admit fluid pressure to the packing ring 54 and at the same time urge the edges of the packing rings 54 into contact with the outer surface of the wash pipe H and the inner surface of the container 41, A nut 58 is threaded into the lower end of the container 41 to secure the packing ring 54, follower 56, and spring 55,.

in position. The nut 58 is provided with grooves 59 which admit the fluid into the annular recesses around the wash pipe. A downwardly projecting skirt or sleeve 68 is formed integrally with the follower 56 for the purpose of limiting the downward movement of the follower. The packing 53 includes a set of packing rings 6| which are positioned between rings 62 and 63 and are retained in place by means of a nut 64.

In order to insure the lubrication of the surface between the packingrings 54 and the wash pipe 4I, we. provide a lubricant connection 65 between the header ring 62 and the header ring 66 of the packing assembly.

Lubricant supplied under pressure through this connection insures that lubricant will pass downwardly over the surface of the wash pipe H in contact with the packing rings 54 and thereby lubricate the surface and also expel any-foreign matter which would tend to abrade the surface of the wash pipe 4I that is in contact with the packing rings 54.

A second lubricant conveying connection 61 is provided to supply the upper rings 6I with lubricant. The pressure applied to the packing rings 54 by means of the spring 55 is supplemented by the fluid pressure of the circulating fluid when the circulating fluid is passing through the swivel. With the construction as thus provided, the pressure of the packing against the wash pipe H is maintained as a function of the fluid pressure which is to be sealed off by the packing. Furthermore, there is no requirement for any manual adjustment of the packing.

Asillustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the modified form of our invention is shown in which illustration similar parts have been numbered with the same numbers with the addition of an exponent a thereto. J

In this construction the-body Ia and cap 211 l are bolted together by means of longitudinal bolts 1a and form an enclosure for the rotary sleeve 8a and the main bearing 9a, the combined upthrust and radial bearings 16;: and the upper radial bearing I2a. The thrust carrying plate I10 is secured upon the shoulder I8a of the body In by means of a ring 1Ia which is contained within the cover member- 2a and the ring member 1 Ia is adjustably maintained in contact with the member I1a by means of a plurality of bolts 12a threadedly mounted in the capmember 2a. With this construction it is possible to clamp the cap 2a and the body member Ia.-together into face-to-face engagement wherein-a; thin sheet gasket may be employed for an oilseal. With the cap and body members tightly clamped together, the screw He can then be adjusted to insure that the thrust plate "(1 is rigidly "seated upon the shoulder I8a. In this modified construction we also employ acombined radial and'upthrust bearing 'IIIa'which is carried by the sleeve 8a on the threaded collar 25a. A sleeve 13a is slidably mounted within the bore of the body Ia and carries the stationary race 14a of the combined radial and upthrustbearing 10a. A compression spring 15a, designed to support a load equal to the weight of the non-rotating elements of the swivel assembly, shaman between thrust supporting plate lla and a flange "a of the sleeve 13a.

As illustrated in Figure 6, the packing assembly is of the. type that can be inserted directly into the opening of the sleeve to and consists of a multiplicity of rings 54a which aremaintained' under an initial compression through the medium of the follower Sta-and spring 55a. Interposed between the upper seal rings Gla and the lower seal rings 54a is a follower 66a which is provided with openings for conveying lubricant from the connection 650. to the packing rings "a. Lubricant is supplied through the upper connection 61a to the upper rings Gla. The entire packing assembly consisting of the packing rings a and la and the followers 58a and a and. the spring 55a, are secured within the swivel sleeve recess by means of the nut a which engages the upper shoulder of theheader ring Ila. In this construction both sets of packing rings 54a and Bio aremaintained at all times under a predetermined initial load and thepressure of the fluid passing through the connection supplements the spring pressure. a I I In the modified form of our invention H1118? trated in 'Figure 7, similar parts. have been indi- 'cated by similar numerals with the addition of an exponent .b thereto.

- This modification diiIers from that heretofore disclosed primarily in that the radial bearings 9b, llb and III; arerelocated so that both of the radial bearings llb and llb are located below the main supporting bearings 9b, thereby permitting of the easy-lubrication of these bearings without the necessity of maintaining a high head of lubricant above the main supporting bearings as is essential in cases of the modifications as heretofore disclosed, and in the factthat the lower race plate llb is formed to provide the outer race for the upper of the radial bearings l2b. The lower race plate l'lb is supported on the shoulder lab of the body lb. -A cap 2b has the depending flange lib .which securely anchors the race plate l'lb. on the shoulder l8b against any axial movement. The upthrust bearing lflb is carried by the sleeve tb and is adjustably secured thereto by means of the collar 2%. The upthrust of the sleeve 8b is transmitted to the bear-.

ing lllb andthe reaction of this upthrust is taken by the race plate. llb against which the stationary upthrust plate lllb abuts. I I

The upper radial bearingv lib is positioned a within the boreof the race plate "b so that there is provided an accurate alignmentof the sleeve 8b relative to the race plate llb.

Thelower radial bearihg llb is pressed onto the sleeve 8b or may be secured thereto by any suitable means such as by a threaded annular collar similar to'the annular collar b. The

outer race of the lower radial bearing llb is pressed into the bore of the body lb.

A spacing sleeve l l2b may be positioned be-J tween the collar 28b and the inner race of the bearing llb so as to facilitate the removal of the race upon the collar 28b being'unthreaded from the sleeve 8b. At thelower end ofthe body lb and at the upper end dfthe cap 2b there are I provided oil retainers ll3b.and lllb respectively for the purpose of maintaining am enclosed chamber within which the bearings are mounted.

Having fully described our invention, it is to be understood that. we do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but ourinvention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

acetates We claim: I 1. In a rotaryswivel, the combination of a body having a supporting shoulder, a sleeve rotatably positioned axially of and projecting through the body, means cooperating with. the sleeve and the body to form a bearing enclosure on said shoulder, a cover, releasable means to secure the cover to said body, means on said cover to secure the thrust carrying member on said shoulder, a main supportingbearing between the sleeve and' the thrust carrying member, and an upthrust bearing between the sleeve and the thrust carrying member, said sleeve, thrust carrying member and bearings being ihsertable and removable as'a unit relative. to said body upon the cover being detached from the body.

2. In a rotary swivel, the combination 01a body having a supporting shoulder, a sleeve rotatably positioned axially of and projecting through the body, means cooperating with the sleeve and the body to form a bearing enclosure at one end, a thrust carrying member supported on said shoulder, a cover, releasable means to secure the cover to said body, adjustable means on said cover to secure the thrust carrying member onflsaid shoulder, a main supporting bearing between the sleeve and the thrust carrying .member, and soupat one end,.a thrust carrying member supported thrust bearing between the sleeve and the thrust 1 member on said shoulder, a main supporting bearing between the sleeve and the thrust carrying member, and an upthrust bearing-between the sleeve and the thrust carrying member, said sleeve, thrust carrying member and bearings being insertable and removable .as a unit relative to said body in the. absence of the cover.

4. In a rotary swivel, the combinationvof a body having a supporting shoulder, a cover secured to said body, a sleeve rotatably positioned axially of and projecting through the body, means cooperating with the sleeve and the body to-form a bearing enclosure at one end, spaced radial bearing means for the sleeeve, a thrust carrying member supported on said shoulder, means to secure said member on said shoulder, a main sup-- porting bearing between the sleeve and the thrust carrying member, and an upthrust bearing between the sleeve andithe thrustcarrying member, said main supporting and upthrust bearings I being positioned longitudinally of the sleeve between said radial bearing means.

5. In a rotary swivel, the combination of a body having a supporting shoulder, a cover secured to said body, a sleeve rotatably positioned axially of and projecting through the body, means cooperating with the sleeve and the body to form a bearing enclosure at one end, a radial bearing for the sleeve in the cover, a'radial bearing for the sleeve in the body, a. thrust carrying member supported on said shoulder, means to secure said member on said shoulder, a main supporting bearing between the sleeveand the thrust carrying member, and an upthrust bearing between the sleeve and the thrust carrying member, said main supporting and upthrust bearings being positioned longitudinally of the sleeve between said radial bearings. s

6. In a rotary swivel, the combination of a body having a supporting shoulder, a cover adapted to be secured to said body, a sleeve rotatably positioned axially ofand projecting thrust, carrying member to secure said member on the body, said faces seating on the packing means and on the thrust carrying member. insequence andin the order given when the cover is'assembled on the body, and down-thrust and upthrust bearing means between said sleeve and v thrust carrying member.

In a rotary swivel, the combination of a body having a, supporting shoulder, a sleeve rotatably positioned axially of and projecting through the body, means cooperating with the sleeve and the body to form a bearing enclosure at oneend, a thrust carrying member supported on said shoulder, a cover, releasable means to secure the cover to said body, means to secure the thrust carrying member on said shoulder, a main supporting bearing between the sleeve, and the thrust carrying member, a combined radial and upthrust bearing carried by' said sleeve, means to align a stationary element of said last named bearing axially relative to the. body, yieldable pressure means between the stationary element of said last named bearing and the thrust carrying member, said sleeve, thrust carrying member and bearings being insertable and removable as a unit relative to said body upon the cover being detached from the body.

8. In a rotary swivel, the combination of a housing, a rotary sleeve supported by said housing, a fluid conducting passage through said sleeve, a relatively stationary washpipe carried by said housing and extending axially of said sleeve, a packing container secured to said ro tary sleeve, a pair of longitudinally spaced packingmeans positioned in said container to seal against said wash pipe, means to space said packing means longitudinally of the sleeve, the lower of said packing means including a plurality of inverted V-shaped packing rings, a follower ring seated against the lowermost packing ring, spring means within said container to yieldably urge said follower against said rings, and means to introduce lubricant downwardly under pressure between the wash pipe and .the lower packing means.

9. In a rotary swivel, the combination of a housing, a rotary sleeve supported by said housing, a fluid conducting passage through said sleeve, a relatively stationary wash pipe carried by said housing and extending axially of said sleeve, a packing recess formed within said sleeve adjacent one and of said wash pipe, a plurality of inverted V-shaped packing rings in said recess encircling said wash pipe, a follower ring seated against the lower-most packing ring, spring means within said sleeve to yieldably'urge said follower against said rings, and means to intro- 1am lubricant downwardly under pressure between the wash pipe and the packing. rings.

10. In a rotary swivel, the combination of a body, a sleeve rotatably mounted in the bodyi a relatively stationary wash pipe concentrically mounted for a portion of its length with reference to the rotary sleeve, means carried by the body for supportingthe wash pipe, means for packing the wash pipe relative to the sleeve, in-

eluding a. packing recess i ormed .between the wash pipe and the sleeve, a plurality of packing rings in said recess, a follower mounted in said recess, means whereby an initial pressure is exerted against said follower independently of the fluid pressure sealed off to maintain the packing rings in expanded condition between the sleeve and wash pipe, and means for introducing lubricant under pressure between the wash pipe and the packing rings.

11. In a swivel, the combination of a body, a sleeve rotatably mounted in the body, a relatively stationary wash pipe concentrically mounted for a portionof its length with reference to the rotary sleeve, means carried by the body for-supporting the wash pipe, means for packing the wash pipe relative to the body, in-

cluding a packing recess formed between the wash pipe and the sleeve, a plurality of packing rings adapted to expand under fluid pres sure exerted from one direction axially of the body, a follower mounted in said recess, means whereby an initial pressure is exerted against said follower in the direction to expand said packing rings independently of the fluid pressure sealed off, and means for introducing lubricant under pressure between the packing rings and said wash pipe in a direction counter to the direction of the pressure acting to expand said rings.

12.-In a rotary swivel for drilling wells; the

combination of 'a bearing housing including de tachably connected upper and lower members;

one of said members having a supporting shoulder; a rotary sleeve assembly positioned in partupthrust bearings, a radial bearing between the with said housing and sleeve assembly to provide a lubricant chamber; said assembly including'a rotary sleeve, a stationary thrust bearing race plate supported on said shoulder, a main supporting bearing between the race plate and a shoulder provided on said sleeve, an'upthrust bearing between the race plate and a second shoulder provided on said sleeve, means carried on the sleeve to adjust one of said shoulders'axially relative to the other to limit the end play of the sleeve relative to the main supporting and upthrust bearings; spaced radial bearings positioned below the main bearing to rotatably support the sleeve axially of the housing; and means to secure the race plate on the supporting shoulder against axial movement.

14. In a rotary swivel for drilling wells, the

combination of a bearing housing including deta'chably connected upper and lower members, one of said members having a supporting shoulder; a stationary thrust bearing element positioned on said shoulder, a sleeve having a load carrying shoulder and positioned in part within said housing, a thrust bearing element nonrotatively mounted relative to said sleeve, hear ing means positioned between said elements to rotatively support said sleeve against down thrust loads, upthrust bearing means to permit the relative rotation of the sleeve when the load is reversed from down thrust to upthrust, and yieldable means acting between the sleeve and the second thrust bearing element to prevent the relative axial separation of the trust bearing elements and bearing means. when the down thrust load is relieved or reversed.

15. In a rotary swivel, thecombination of a pair of relatively rotatable fluid conducting mem bers, the first member encircling a portion of the second member and cooperating therewith to deflne a packing recess, inner and outer longitudinally spaced packing means positioned in said recess and contacting the second member to provides. fluid tight rotary joint between said members, means for introducing lubricant between said spaced packing means, said packing means being arranged to prevent the escape of the lubricant past the outer packing means while permitting the lubricant to be injected between the contacting surfaces of the second member and the encircling inner packing means.

16. In a rotary swivel, the combination of a pair of relatively rotatable fluid conducting members, the first member encircling a portion of the second member and cooperating therewith to deflne a packing recess, inner and outer longitudinally spaced packing means positioned in said recess andcontacting the second member to provide a fluid tight rotary joint between said members, means for introducing lubricant between said packing means, the outer packing means including a. pressure sealed type oi packing ring arranged to prevent the escape of lubrlcant outwardly and permit the lubricant to be injected between the contacting surfaces of the second member and the encircling inner packing means.

17. In a rotary swivel, the combination of a pair of relatively rotatable fluid conducting members, the first member encircling a portion of the .second member and cooperating therewith to define a packing recess, inner and outer longitudinally spaced packing means positioned in said recess and contacting the second member to provide a fluid tight rotary joint between said members, a packing container detachably mounted on the first member and encircling a portion of the second member 'to define a packing recess, means to provide a fluid tight connection between said container and flrst member, inner and outer lon gitudinally spaced packing means positioned in said container and contacting the second member to provide a fluid tight rotary 'joint between said members, means for introducing lubricant between said packing means, the outer packing means including a pressure sealed type of packing ring arranged to prevent the escape of lubricant outwardly and permit the lubricant to be injected between the contacting surfaces of the second member and the encircling inner packing means.

19. In a rotary swivel for drilling wells, the combination of a bearing housing including detachably connected upper and lower members, one of said members having a supporting shoulder, a stationary thrust bearing element positioned on said shoulder, a. sleeve having a load carrying shoulder and positioned in part within said housing, a thrust bearing element adapted to rotate with said sleeve and engage said load carrying shoulder upon a down thrust load being applied to said sleeve, bearing means positioned between said elements to rotatively support said sleeve against down thrust loads, upthrust bearing means to permit the relative rotation of the sleeve when the load is reversed from down thrust a rotary member positioned axially of an opening in the stationary member and being provided with a downthrust load supporting shoulder, means carried by said rotary member to provide an upthrust load supporting shoulder, downthrust bearing means including a bearing ring adapted to rotate with said rotary member interposed between the downthrust load supporting shoulder and said stationary member, upthrust bearing means including a bearing ring adapted to rotate with said rotary member interposed between the upthrust load supporting shoulder and said stationary member, and yieldable means acting between said rotary member and one of said bearing rings to apply an initial load thereto and prevent the relative axial separation oi. the elements of the respective thrust bearing means upon the applied thrust load being relieved from said hearing means or reversed in direction.

. EDWARD TIMBS.

DEMERY A. MURPHY.

CERTIFICATE 0E CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,029,598. February 4 1936.

EDWARD TIMBS, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4, second column, line 22, claim 11, for "body" read sleeve; page 5, first column, line 25, claim 14, for "'trust" read thrust; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 31st day of March, A. D. 1936.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

